Josh Bell
@signalbleed.bsky.social
Freelance writer and film/TV critic at KTNV, Tom's Guide, Crooked Marquee, The Inlander, Inverse, Highway Radio, Awesome Movie Year, and more. For hire: signalbleed@gmail.com
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Josh Bell
@signalbleed.bsky.social
· Oct 18
Latest Episodes - Awesome Movie Year
Awesome Movie Year is a podcast where film-critic Josh Bell & comedian Jason Harris take a look at different awesome movie years.
awesomemovieyear.com
Welcome new followers! (And thank you, @bwdr.bsky.social starter pack.) I write about movies and TV for various publications, and I co-host the Awesome Movie Year podcast, taking on a different year in cinema history each season.
I'm not a Baz Luhrmann fan, and I thought his 2022 'Elvis' biopic was atrocious, but his new documentary 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' (in IMAX theaters starting tonight) is a solid showcase for the King. My @inlander.com review:
Baz Luhrmann does better with his second look at the King in documentary EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
The phony, emotionally vacant artifice of Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis doesn’t make him seem like the ideal filmmaker for a documentary about the King of Rock and Roll. But
www.inlander.com
February 19, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I'm not a Baz Luhrmann fan, and I thought his 2022 'Elvis' biopic was atrocious, but his new documentary 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' (in IMAX theaters starting tonight) is a solid showcase for the King. My @inlander.com review:
This isn't necessarily the fault of the movie (which is still bad), but I got stuck in a 4DX screening of 'Red One' and halfway through I was so annoyed that I got up and watched the rest of the movie while standing in the vestibule.
fun question: what’s the maddest you’ve ever been leaving a movie theater? not necessarily worst movie you’ve seen, but the one that just pissed you off the most. mine is Batman v Superman
February 19, 2026 at 12:38 AM
This isn't necessarily the fault of the movie (which is still bad), but I got stuck in a 4DX screening of 'Red One' and halfway through I was so annoyed that I got up and watched the rest of the movie while standing in the vestibule.
I loved 'Back to the Future' as a kid, although not as much as I loved the soundtrack. I was slightly less enamored when revisiting it for this week's 1985 season premiere of Awesome Movie Year, but still mostly had fun watching it.
Back To The Future (1985 Box Office Champ) - Awesome Movie Year
We kick off the awesome movie year of 1985 with the sci-fi comedy classic Back To The Future!
awesome-movie-year.captivate.fm
February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM
I loved 'Back to the Future' as a kid, although not as much as I loved the soundtrack. I was slightly less enamored when revisiting it for this week's 1985 season premiere of Awesome Movie Year, but still mostly had fun watching it.
Just watched the season premiere of a Netflix show and I'm embarrassed to say that the characters restating their names and functions in the plot actually helped me a lot with my fuzzy memories of what happened in the previous season.
February 18, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Just watched the season premiere of a Netflix show and I'm embarrassed to say that the characters restating their names and functions in the plot actually helped me a lot with my fuzzy memories of what happened in the previous season.
For @tomsguide.com I wrote about forgotten and discarded Marvel series 'Runaways,' which has recently resurfaced on Tubi and is worth another look.
The best Marvel show you've never seen is finally streaming for free on Tubi
'Runaways' has been forgotten and mistreated, but it's a perfect watch for Marvel fans who missed it the first time
www.tomsguide.com
February 18, 2026 at 12:48 AM
For @tomsguide.com I wrote about forgotten and discarded Marvel series 'Runaways,' which has recently resurfaced on Tubi and is worth another look.
Somehow the Ted Bundysploitation horror movie is not the worst release in this week's rough-looking VODepths.
VODepths: What to See (and Avoid) on Demand This Week — Crooked Marquee
Our mini-reviews of “Ted Bunny,” “Hellfire,” “Last Ride,” and more new under-the-radar on-demand offerings.
crookedmarquee.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Somehow the Ted Bundysploitation horror movie is not the worst release in this week's rough-looking VODepths.
I am woefully unacquainted with Frederick Wiseman's documentary films, but I love that late in life he just made cameos in random French indie movies like strip club drama 'My Sole Desire' and rom-com 'Jane Austen Wrecked My Life' (both of which I saw before any of his own movies).
February 17, 2026 at 12:25 AM
I am woefully unacquainted with Frederick Wiseman's documentary films, but I love that late in life he just made cameos in random French indie movies like strip club drama 'My Sole Desire' and rom-com 'Jane Austen Wrecked My Life' (both of which I saw before any of his own movies).
Some quick thoughts on Mann-ly thriller 'Crime 101' in this week's Highway Radio segment: highwayradio.com/josh-bell-ha...
February 15, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Some quick thoughts on Mann-ly thriller 'Crime 101' in this week's Highway Radio segment: highwayradio.com/josh-bell-ha...
Have you always wished a mediocre 1980s comedy was three times as long and not particularly funny? Then 'The 'Burbs' (now streaming on Peacock) is for you. My @inlander.com review:
The ’Burbs turns a forgettable movie into a forgettable TV series
The 1989 dark comedy The ’Burbs isn’t exactly a career highlight for either director Joe Dante or star Tom Hanks, but it’s built up a minor cult following over the
www.inlander.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Have you always wished a mediocre 1980s comedy was three times as long and not particularly funny? Then 'The 'Burbs' (now streaming on Peacock) is for you. My @inlander.com review:
Before we start our new season of Awesome Movie Year next week, we have our 2014 bonus episode on Richard Linklater's 'Boyhood' now available for all listeners, after previously being a Patreon exclusive: awesome-movie-year.captivate.fm/episode/boyh...
February 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Before we start our new season of Awesome Movie Year next week, we have our 2014 bonus episode on Richard Linklater's 'Boyhood' now available for all listeners, after previously being a Patreon exclusive: awesome-movie-year.captivate.fm/episode/boyh...
I have seen two 'Werthering Heights' jokes on here today, so clearly I am following the right people.
February 10, 2026 at 5:33 AM
I have seen two 'Werthering Heights' jokes on here today, so clearly I am following the right people.
We have a small but dedicated Patreon subscriber base for Awesome Movie Year, and we're rewarding them today with a second bonus episode from our 1971 season, on Clint Eastwood action classic 'Dirty Harry.'
Dirty Harry (Awesome Movie Year 1971 Bonus Episode) | Produced by David Rosen
Get more from Produced by David Rosen on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:13 AM
We have a small but dedicated Patreon subscriber base for Awesome Movie Year, and we're rewarding them today with a second bonus episode from our 1971 season, on Clint Eastwood action classic 'Dirty Harry.'
"Meanwhile, in another movie..." I mutter to myself every time I see a jarring onscreen transition.
Does anyone else have an MST3K line they use regularly, even if it makes no sense out of context?
Because I have both "That'll keep your panfish down for a while." and "Come come, boys, we must confound Jerry at every turn!" from MST3K the movie alone.
Because I have both "That'll keep your panfish down for a while." and "Come come, boys, we must confound Jerry at every turn!" from MST3K the movie alone.
February 9, 2026 at 10:24 PM
"Meanwhile, in another movie..." I mutter to myself every time I see a jarring onscreen transition.
Happy to see more people asserting that video podcasts are not podcasts (and this is very good analysis that comes from someone with a broadcasting background).
The dirty little secret is that many podcasts are just (poorly executed) talk shows by another name
The evolution of the podcast is really the de-evolution of not only radio but TV as well
This week's newsletter, with a look at Pete Davidson's new so-called "podcast" for Netflix
The evolution of the podcast is really the de-evolution of not only radio but TV as well
This week's newsletter, with a look at Pete Davidson's new so-called "podcast" for Netflix
The dirty little secret is that many podcasts are just (poorly executed) talk shows by another name
The evolution of the podcast is really the de-evolution of not only radio but TV as well
buttondown.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Happy to see more people asserting that video podcasts are not podcasts (and this is very good analysis that comes from someone with a broadcasting background).
Check out all the great stuff on Awesome Movie Year's shared Patreon with @piecingpod.bsky.social, including a new bonus episode on 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' from our recently concluded 1971 season. We really appreciate our loyal subscribers!
Along with a brand new Awesome Movie Year bonus episode, I just added early access to Piecing It Together episodes on SIRAT, 28YL: THE BONE TEMPLE & SONG SUNG BLUE over on our shared Produced by David Rosen Patreon! Sign up for all of that & lots more exclusive content! www.patreon.com/bydavidrosen
Get more from Produced by David Rosen on Patreon
creating Podcasts and Music
www.patreon.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Check out all the great stuff on Awesome Movie Year's shared Patreon with @piecingpod.bsky.social, including a new bonus episode on 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' from our recently concluded 1971 season. We really appreciate our loyal subscribers!
Some quick thoughts on the mostly dumb teen horror movie 'Whistle' in this week's Highway Radio segment: highwayradio.com/josh-bell-ha...
February 7, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Some quick thoughts on the mostly dumb teen horror movie 'Whistle' in this week's Highway Radio segment: highwayradio.com/josh-bell-ha...
Had a traumatic day, so I came home and watched a shitty '80s slasher movie, then went to a midnight show at the drive-in, because that's my version of self-care.
February 7, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Had a traumatic day, so I came home and watched a shitty '80s slasher movie, then went to a midnight show at the drive-in, because that's my version of self-care.
Cheesy but visually stunning anime saga 'Scarlet' opens tomorrow in Las Vegas at AMC Town Square and Regal Red Rock. My @inlander.com review:
Scarlet turns Hamlet into a grandiose anime fantasy epic
Although Hamnet has been getting all the attention, it’s just one of four cinematic takes on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet that have been playing in theaters and at major film festivals
www.inlander.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Cheesy but visually stunning anime saga 'Scarlet' opens tomorrow in Las Vegas at AMC Town Square and Regal Red Rock. My @inlander.com review:
Our 1971 season of Awesome Movie Year was our longest yet, and there were still tons of interesting movies we didn't cover. We take a look back at our various options, plus get into some social media feedback, in our 1971 epilogue episode: awesome-movie-year.captivate.fm/episode/1971...
February 4, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Our 1971 season of Awesome Movie Year was our longest yet, and there were still tons of interesting movies we didn't cover. We take a look back at our various options, plus get into some social media feedback, in our 1971 epilogue episode: awesome-movie-year.captivate.fm/episode/1971...
Kind of a rough week for movies in the latest VODepths, although it's always nice to hear Melanie Lynskey use her natural Kiwi accent.
VODepths: What to See (and Avoid) on Demand This Week — Crooked Marquee
Our mini-reviews of “Grizzly Night,” “The Morrigan,” “Acts of Love” and more of this week’s on-demand treasures and trash.
crookedmarquee.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Kind of a rough week for movies in the latest VODepths, although it's always nice to hear Melanie Lynskey use her natural Kiwi accent.
If I dreamed I rewatched a movie, can I log it on Letterboxd?
February 3, 2026 at 9:26 PM
If I dreamed I rewatched a movie, can I log it on Letterboxd?
Always amusing to watch a movie that goes from "These actors playing brother and sister have too much chemistry" to "Oh wait, this is a story about incest."
January 31, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Always amusing to watch a movie that goes from "These actors playing brother and sister have too much chemistry" to "Oh wait, this is a story about incest."
Watching this movie featuring the now-grizzled Eddie Kaye Thomas from 'American Pie' is what's currently making me feel a million years old.
January 31, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Watching this movie featuring the now-grizzled Eddie Kaye Thomas from 'American Pie' is what's currently making me feel a million years old.
Jason Statham. Action movie. Whadda ya need, a roadmap? My @tomsguide.com review of 'Shelter,' now in theaters:
'Shelter' review: Jason Statham does his Jason Statham thing in a competent action movie
Predictable and familiar — but what more do you want?
www.tomsguide.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Jason Statham. Action movie. Whadda ya need, a roadmap? My @tomsguide.com review of 'Shelter,' now in theaters:
'Send Help' (in theaters starting tonight) is a nasty, fun return to form for Sam Raimi. My @inlander.com review:
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien are stranded at sea in Sam Raimi’s diabolical <i>Send Help</i>
Sam Raimi’s directing credits have been so sparse in recent years that every movie he makes feels like an event, but a big part of the appeal of his new
www.inlander.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 PM
'Send Help' (in theaters starting tonight) is a nasty, fun return to form for Sam Raimi. My @inlander.com review: